Tarawera resident Fred Stevens said residents wanted "a bit of fairness"
Photo: LDR/ Felix Desmarais
The council says it needs sign-off from residents first to proceed to detailed design work which would provide more certainty around cost.
About 80 people packed Lake Tarawera community hall on Wednesday last week to discuss concerns about the payment plan laid out by Rotorua Lakes Council for the scheme.
The scheme would involve the installation of low-pressure grinder pumps on each property, and the connection of Tarawera to the Ōkāreka wastewater pump and to the Rotorua Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Septic tanks were not considered sustainable for the lake's future.